2.5 Stars
This was surprisingly my first read from author Jennifer Estep. The book's premise grabbed my attention; magic, gargoyles, royalty, and spies? I'm there for it! Unfortunately Capture the Crown turned out to be underwhelming.

The repetition was aggravating, and the book probably could have been cut in half with out it. It got to the point where every time I heard the phrase, "Seven Spire Massacre" I would sigh in frustration. The plot was drawn out, slow moving, and ofttimes boring with every minuscular step given great detail. I thought the magical elements of the story were interesting but the author never went into detail WHY some people had magic, some didn't, or why their abilities would vary. It also seemed like a convenient save all in some situations. I didn't quiet understand the chemistry that the author was trying to portray between Gemma and Leo either. Besides saving each other in a couple dramatic events, and trying to kill each other as children (which readers are told repeatedly), at no time did I see or feel a deep connection between the two characters. I never got a sense of the world around them either, there was little world building but, like the magic aspect, that may be because the author is expecting readers from the Crown of Shards trilogy...the entire story line could have used some fleshing out instead of the constant reiteration of Gemma's internal dialogue.

While A Gargoyle Queen is a spin-off series of the Crown of Shards trilogy, I didn't find it too difficult to jump in with that unread. There was an obvious backstory there and the reemergence of past characters, but I thought that this story held up well on its own. At this point though, despite reading the book through, I don't see myself continuing with the series.

Jennifer Estep is one of thos authors that I recommend when someone say.....have you read a good book lately. She maintains several series, most within the paranormal romance genre, but the cast of characters are where her books shine. Whether family, friend or enemy, each character is well developed and has their very own fan club. The series shine best when read in order. I'm always happy when a new Estep title is released.

Capture the Crown is a fantastic return to the world of Jennifer Estep's Crown of Shards. Now we have moved on to Gemma Ripley and her Gargoyles, who, if you read the first series, know, are the beloved creatures of Andvari. Gemma is known somewhat fondly as Glitzma, a pampered princess who only cares about gowns and balls. What is true, though, is a false persona so she can carry out spy missions with no one being the wiser. In this first book, Gemma tries to discover who is stealing tear stones from a mine and why? Unfortunately, she ends up in Morta with Leo, the son of Maeven, the current queen of Morta. What unfolds is a possible love match brewing, a sinister plot by Milo Maeven's other son to use the tear stone as some weapon, and a fight within Gemma to embrace her magic and who she is to Andavari. An excellent start to the series, and I can not wait to see what else Gemma The Gargoyle Queen will uncover next.

Great book and enjoyed the characters . loved the slight romance and the how well the group worked together. Overall a great book . I would read this author again.

I was a huge fan of Jennifer Estep's Crown of Shards series and I love that Capture the Queen picks up 16 years later. You get updates on how beloved characters from the Crown of Shards series are doing while also getting new adventures with Gemma. Gemma and her beloved gargoyle are deep in enemy Morta territory and she's thrown into trusting her mortal enemy Leo. Great slow burn for, hopefully, future romance. Love the new characters who were introduced and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Unfortunately I could not get in to this one. I think my reading tastes are changing. I will update my review if I try and read again.

Gemma plays the persona of pampered princess and does it so well that no one suspects she's undercover trying to catch a thief. Soon she finds herself behind enemy lines and forced to join with her own enemy Prince Leo. With the countries they represent being mortal enemies, it's surprising to find that sparks are igniting between the pair.

I loved the concept of this book and the development of the characters. Gemma was a great character, and while I didn't relate to her, I still enjoyed seeing her grow into a better character, same with Leo.

The descriptions are overly abundant to the point of monotony. I was so close to DNFing this book because of how detailed some descriptions were that were absolutely pointless. I'm sure the author had an image in their head for what they wanted the readers to see, but it just did not work in their favor for me.

100% regret not reading this sooner. I was slow to get into Capture the Crown but after a chapter or two I was hooked. I did not want to stop reading and once I finish I immediately needed the second book.

I love the gargoyles and Strix, I don't think I've read any other book with them in it. The world created in Capture the Crown is really cool and look forward to reading more books by Jennifer Estep.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC!

I am overdue on this review, Mostly because every time I picked up this book I got barely into it and was unhappy. With book 2 out, I decided to give it another go. It took a week of pick up, put down to get it finished and so much ranting to my friends and sister.

I have super mixed feelings about this book. It was okay mostly but I had some major issues. I read and enjoyed the Crown of Shards trilogy set in this world. While there were a few trip ups, the plot for me was engaging and I wanted to know what would happen. That was not how I felt about this book.

I have two major issues. One is Gemma and the other is the plot. I spent the book either frustrated with Gemma or bored. Gemma, traumatized by the Seven Spires Massacre, has decided that the best way to protect her people from the awful Morta threat is to become a spy. She has crafted a persona of a bubbly happy carefree princess that she hates and that the reader never sees. Hearing rumors that there is missing tearstone from a mine near the border with Morta, Gemma sets out to investigate... as a miner.

After just a couple days of working in the mine, Gemma manages to get picked to help the thief, has to dispose of a body, saves a prince and almost gets herself killed. This is all in the first 30% and it should be exciting but I was bored. Gemma switches between "poor me, I'll never master my magic and be scared and helpless forever" and "All Mortans are evil, how dare they exist". She carries as special prejudice for Leonidas and every encounter ends with her saying that he can't be trusted.

Gemma has the same issue for me that Everleigh in Kill the Queen did. The way she acts and her inner thoughts make me think of her as a YA protagonist. The royal spy plot can be tricky. I think that the scrapes she gets into and way she handles things wouldn't bother me as much of she was 19-20. But at 28 she should know better and act with more maturity. I feel that at this age, if she is spying, she should have a network that she gets information from and delegate/cultivate spies, instead of doing everything herself. Her spy craft does need some work, because every time she runs into a possible clue, Gemma discards it as not really important. She really needs to pay attention to what people are saying without actually saying the words. There is a conversation with Maeven that is super important and Gemma just worries about being recognized. Also just saying that as a nation's only princess, just minorly cutting and dying your hair is not a disguise. Spy school 101 would help Gemma.

Frankly I found almost every other character more interesting then Gemma. I like Delmira and I really want her to show up again. The liladorns are mysterious and cool. Maeven is such a complex interesting character, with a thousand plans in her head. Even Leo, who has a lot going on and still keeps coming back to help/rescue/save Gemma, while she tells him how untrustworthy he is because he is a Morricone.

The one giant plus about this book. I finished it. Most of the time when I feel like this, it ends up in the DNF pile. This did not. So it had enough potential and excitement to make me rant about it.

I think my feelings about this book all boil down to disappointment. The plot was slow. Gemma is afraid and bitter about her magic, but she won't do anything about it. She gets herself into situations that she has to be rescued from and she is not a good spy.

I hope book two is better. Also I would like an Evie cameo please.

As always this is the type of adult fantasy that I enjoy. The characters are interesting and the plot line moved at a fast pace. I was drawn into the world and felt the world building was exceptional. I can’t wait until the next book in the series.

Princess Gemma Ripley is famous for her glittering outfits, in which she flounces through countless parties and balls. There’s another side to her, though. Her duties as a royal also include putting on a disguise and spying, in order to discover any trouble in her father’s Kingdom of Andvari. There’s almost sure to be trouble at any time, given their neighbors, the ruthless rulers of the Kingdom of Morta, who hate the Andvarians.

Gemma finds out firsthand just how ruthless the Mortans are, when heir-apparent Leonidas kidnaps her after an injury and brings her back to the Mortan palace. Luckily Leonidas has no idea who she is-or does he? Complicating matters is that he’s a hunk with a heart—and seems to be attracted to Gemma. In meantime, Gemma is ideally placed to find out why Leonidas’ fiendish half-brother, Milo, is secretly assembling vast stocks of tearstone—that is, if she can survive without losing her heart—or her life.

Jennifer Estep’s Crown of Shards series is a fantasy lover’s thrill ride. Stunning magic, epic battles, masterful political plays.

In Capture the Crown (A Gargoyle Queen Novel) Gemma Ripley has a reputation for being a pampered princess who is more interested in pretty gowns, sparkling jewelry, and other frivolous things than learning how to rule the kingdom of Andvari. But her carefully crafted persona is just an act to hide the fact that Gemma is a powerful mind magier—and a spy.

Gemma is undercover, trying to figure out who is stealing large amounts of tearstone from one of the Ripley royal mines when she encounters Prince Leonidas Morricone of Morta—her mortal enemy. Gemma tries to steer clear of the handsome prince, but when she finds herself behind enemy lines, she reluctantly joins forces with Leo. Also coming to Gemma’s aid is Grimley, her beloved gargoyle.

Despite the fact that Andvari and Morta are old, bitter enemies, a dangerous attraction sparks between Gemma and Leo. Further complicating matters is Leo’s murderous family, especially Queen Maeven Morricone, the mastermind behind the infamous Seven Spire massacre.

The closer Gemma gets to the stolen tearstone, the more deadly plots she uncovers. Everyone is trying to capture the crown, but only one queen can sit on the throne …

Estep has crafted this addicting series that is a fun thrill a minute and is highly recommended.

LOVED this! Gemma and Leo, lovvvveeeee. Enemies to lovers trope is great and Estep paved the way for these two to be on their way to not enemies, lol. Can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.

Leaving reviews on Goodreads and amazon

I'll be totally honest here, It took me a couple of chapters to sink into this book but once I did, I was along for the whole ride! Estep filled the pages with very layered characters and great plot twists that took me by surprise. Plus I liked how magic is the norm in this world, people just have different kinds of it and different amounts of magic and it was really refreshing to see it approached in this way.
Full review to come on YouTube.

This series has the dark elements vibes and I can’t help but hype it up and be a little blinded by my excitement over that. Was it perfect? No. Did I devour it and want to buy a paper copy on my next bookstore trip? Absolutely. Sometimes my brain just needs this kind of story and I’m not even slightly mad about it. I like what I like. I hear gargoyle and my interest is piqued, and the rest is history.

I'd been saving Capture the Crown by @jennifer_estep_author as a treat book, because I had so enjoyed the first trilogy set in this world. This newest series starter is JUST as good as the first set, and Gemma Ripley, who we met as a child in the previous books, is a fantastic new voice. One of the things I love about spinoff series is having a new strong narrator to give a different perspective on the world. Jennifer Estep aces this, giving Gemma a voice wholly her own (and a nice contrast to previous main character Evie). While the court intrigue theme keeps the same tone as previous books, the shift in characters (and, let's be honest, romantic pairing) gives the world a fresh look.

I loved Gemma as a minor character, and she rises to the occasion of leading her own story. I also love seeing the way one of the previous series villains has grown into a more ambiguous role. She's in no way reformed, of course, but she's become something more--in a way that reminds me of the HERO of the first book. That's a very cool development, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us!

Capture the Crown will keep you up as you read this book. So much is happening that you are always sitting on the edge. And that's the good thing for a YA fantasy genre book. You want to know everything yet you want to be surprise as well. So expect the unexpected for this book. It does have a bit of world-building so keep that in mind. Also, it does have a bit of romance. The romance trope is enemies to lovers trope.

I loved Estep's Crown of Shards series so I was really excited that her next series was going to be set in the same world.
Gemma Ripley's reputation for being a spoiled princess is well known across the kingdoms. What the public doesn't know is that she often goes under cover as a spy. While undercover, she comes across her mortal enemy Prince Leonidas, a Mortan royal. She ends up saving his life and he does the same not long after.
This was a good fantasy romance book and a good start series. I wasn't as hooked like I was with The Crown of Shard's series but I do look forward to the next book.

I probably should have read the title/description more when I started this but I was just so excited for MORE that I jumped right in thinking it was a continuation of Evie's story.

So, sadly, it took me a little while to get in the mindset of newish characters, but once I did, I was absolutely hooked again.

Gemma's inner tormoil and self doubt is so easy to relate to and sadly can be overwhelming at times, but we do see her make some progress.

I'm cautiously optimistic for a HEA for her and Leonidas.

*Digital review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

As a huge fan of the Crown of Shards trilogy, when I saw that Jennifer Estep started another trilogy set in the same world, I requested that review copy as quickly as I could. I regret nothing. Capture the Crown has everything I loved about the Crown of Shards trilogy. It's sexy, clever, and violent. Best of all, it never follows the easy path. Ms. Estep is not afraid to do terrible things to her characters or put them in impossible situations, and I love the frisson of fear you get while reading it knowing that there is the potential for much violence. Gemma is not the spoiled princess she appears to be, but neither is she the greatest at spycraft. There are so many mysteries and hidden agendas at play throughout the story that the future stories should be just as stellar.